Cymbrowitz Praises Community Board’s Rejection of Avenue U Lounge

March 7, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Share this:

Vote Prevents Former Problem Establishment from Reopening

MARINE PARK — Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Southern Brooklyn/Midwood) has called Community Board 15’s Executive Board’s vote to reject plans for a new restaurant at 816 Avenue U, the former site of Pleasure Island, “a vote for the quality of life and safety of the residents of the surrounding community.”

Throughout its operation, the previous lounge created numerous safety and quality-of-life concerns for those living or walking in the area, according to Cymbrowitz.

The same owners who operated the club at 816 Avenue U requested the meeting with the Executive Board to describe what they claimed to be a retooled, “calmer establishment.” They changed the name from Pleasure Island to Galaxy and had hoped to receive the board’s approval, which is necessary for the venue to receive a liquor license. This comes only months after the New York State Liquor Authority denied the lounge’s previous application for a liquor license following an outcry from the community and Cymbrowitz.

“Community boards, as their name suggests, were created to be there for the community within their boundaries. We are fortunate to have a hard-working, competent board chaired by Theresa Scavo. I know they examined this issue quite carefully and came to a decision last fall, and now once again, that is in the best interest of the community,” Cymbrowitz commented.

Cymbrowitz pointed out in his Feb. 22 letter to the State Liquor Authority that there are already three other businesses with liquor licenses within 500 feet. New York state law’s “500 Foot Rule” prohibits new licenses within this radius unless it is in the public’s interest to issue a license.